Colbert at the FEC? Really.

Potter explained to Colbert that Viacom is likely skittish that if their airtime or administrative costs are “counted as a contribution, they would have to show it on the FEC reports. There might be a complaint or an investigation about whether they showed enough and they would have to turn over their internal bookkeeping and potentially reveal Viacom secrets.”

“Why does it get so complicated to do this,” Colbert said. “I mean this is page after page of legalese. All I’m trying to do is affect the 2012 election. It’s not like I am trying to install iTunes.”

The FEC has up to 60 days to respond to advisory opinion requests, and when POLITICO asked commissioner Cynthia Bauerly about Colbert’s request, she betrayed no amusement, explaining “all forms and advisory opinion requests are handled according to our normal processes.”

But don’t be surprised if the FEC is unwilling to play along with Colbert’s gag, though, warned David Mason, a former commissioner appointed by Democrats.

Commissioners will likely be very cognizant of the possibility that any advice they issue could be treated as a part of Colbert’s gag, said Mason, explaining “that will be one of the concerns of the commission.”

“There is a substantial doubt about whether this is anything more than a joke,” said Mason, pointing to Colbert’s unsuccessful effort http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6674.html to win a spot on South Carolina Democratic presidential ballot during the 2008 primaries.

Before he delivered his speech outside the FEC, POLITICO asked Colbert if he expected the FEC to take his request seriously.

“Why wouldn’t they?” he responded. “I’m making an actual request. I want to find out whether I actually have to list Viacom and the fact that I have a show as a gift in-kind. And if I don’t, I can’t wait to use the resources of my show.”